Auto News and Information

Faulty bolts prompt recall of Nissan and Infiniti cars

The 2011 Xterra is one of the models subject to recall because of possible faulty bolts in the engine. Image: Rennett Stowe/Flickr/CC BY

Nissan has announced that it will be recalling more than 14,700 2011 and 2012 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles starting early next year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cites possibly faulty bolts as the reason for the recall. The bolts could conceivably cause engine seizure and subsequent accidents.

Vehicles affected in the recall

The vehicles included in the current recall are 2011-2012 Pathfinders, 2011-2012 Xterras, the 2012 Nissan NV and the 2011-2012 Frontier. The 2011 Infiniti FX and 2012 Infiniti M are also being recalled for the same potential bolt issue.

“Some of the bolts that connect the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine in these vehicles may have been manufactured to below specification strength. The bolt may break at the oil filter attachment point and can cause an engine oil leak. If there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.”

Supplier problem resolved

Nissan said the problem was caused by a supplier issue that has since been resolved.

Alerted to the problem

The Japanese automaker said in a statement how vehicle owners would be alerted to a problem, should the bolt issue manifest itself:

“A driver is alerted to this incident by the illumination of the engine oil indicator and increased noise from the engine.”

Concerned owners

Nissan is expected to begin contacting vehicle owners on Jan. 19. Nissan dealerships will replace the potentially bad bolts in affected vehicles free of charge. Concerned vehicle owners can contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261. Or you can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.